27 Jun 2023 • One in 10 people with high blood pressure suffer from a treatment-resistant type of hypertension, yet these patients aren't always getting the right medication, a new study finds. The report was published online yesterday in the AHA journal Hypertension. "Apparent resistant hypertension [aRH] is more common than many would anticipate," said researcher Dr. Joseph Ebinger, an assistant professor of cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

In an analysis of over 2.4 million individuals, a lower prevalence of aRH was observed than previously reported (12%–15%), but with a high burden of comorbidities. In the study, patients with aRH did better on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). The treatment was used in 34% of patients with controlled aRH, but only 11% of patients with uncontrolled aRH.

"There are large differences in how providers treat high blood pressure, exemplifying a need to standardize care,” Dr. Ebinger added.

The takeaway, Dr. Ebinger says, is awareness—for both medical professionals and patients. He says providers should be mindful that if it’s taking four or more antihypertensive medications to control a patient’s blood pressure, they should consider evaluation for alternative causes of hypertension.

Identification of differences in pharmacotherapy between patients with controlled and uncontrolled aRH, particularly lower rates of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use, help define potential opportunities to improve care and lower cardiovascular risk.

Source: Hypertension | Read full story